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Workshop

Moldova and the EU

Prospects, challenges, and opportunities 

As part of the International Forum Moldova (IFM) 

by Sebastian Schäffer (Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, IDM) and Iris Rehklau (Seminars Simulations Consulting Europe, SSC)  

Wednesday, October 16, 9:00–12:00 
Location: Small Senate Hall (USM)

Language: English 

Moldova has set a clear path towards European Integration and will also anchor this commitment through a referendum held during the first round of the presidential elections on October 20, 2024. The granting of candidate status as well as the opening of the accession negotiations have been important milestones, however, the way towards full integration will take some time and considerable effort on all sides. Past enlargements have shown that the involvement of civil society is crucial for a successful EU membership negotiation.  

Therefore, this workshop will focus on Civil Society Organisations that will act as multipliers in the Moldovan process. This first workshop will look at the overall integration mechanism to foster a better understanding of the challenges ahead, look at past experiences as well as similarities and differences. It will also introduce new suggestions for a reform of the enlargement process – including staged accession – as well as show possibilities to bridge the time before full membership in the EU such as the European Political Community or the Greater European Council.  

The workshop will approach the topic by presenting applied perspectives as well as foster intercultural communication through the “story circles” method, which lays the foundation for joint work and mutual understanding among participants. The topic of intercultural communication is particularly central at the political and social level. If the future development of relationships is to be successful, knowledge and recognition of cultural differences and similarities are essential. 

After the workshop participants will: 

  • have knowledge of the “story circles“ method
  • be able to explain the enlargement process to the general public 
  • have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities as well as historical experiences and differences of the enlargement rounds 
  • have gained insights on policy recommendations for the European integration process from the latest research 

LITERATURE 

Deardorff, D.: Manual for developing intercultural competencies: story circles. Routledge 2020. 

Emerson, M./ Blockmans, S./ Subotić, S./ Mihajlović, M.: Template 2.0 for Staged Accession to the EU, Centre for European Policy Studies, 28 August 2023. 

Schneckener, U./ Schäffer, S.: Russia’s War and Europe’s Changing Security Order: Time for a ‘Greater European Council’?, in: Naumescu, V./ Moldovan, R./ Florina Caloianu, A. (ed.): Perspectives of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood – EUXGLOB III VOLUME,  3/2023, pp. 20–31.

Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe in cooperation with 
Seminars Simulations Consulting Europe 

Konrad Adenauer Foundation – Republic of Moldova
Federal Institute for Culture and History of Eastern Europe, Oldenburg 
Moldova State University, Chișinău 
Institut für deutsche Kultur und Geschichte Südosteuropas an der LMU München